Ireland news conference cut short after tense exchanges with Israeli media

Republic of Ireland vs Israel is being played in Serbia as the FAI moved the game to a neutral venue for "operational reasons" in June following widespread calls for a boycott; protests briefly halted Ireland's draw with Austria on Thursday over opposition to Sunday's Israel fixture Saturday 3 October 2026 17:25, UK Image: Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson had his pre-match press conference cut short Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson's pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday's match against Israel in Serbia ended abruptly after a tense exchange with Israeli media.The media access was cut short after an Israeli journalist alleged that Israeli players had claimed they were racially abused by Irish players during their match in Hungary last Sunday.The journalist alleged a derogatory term was used - which Sky Sports has chosen not to repeat. It is not a term associated with being antisemitic or anti-Israeli. An Irish press officer refuted the allegation, saying "that's completely untrue", and brought the news conference to a premature close as one of his colleagues remonstrated with the reporter. Image: Ireland's players bowed their heads before facing Israel in the reverse fixture last week Ireland's draw with Austria interrupted by protestsUEFA Nations League scores & fixturesGet Sky Sports | Download the Sky Sports AppHallgrimsson later labelled the accusation a "verbal attack" during a separate briefing for members of the Irish press.The exchange in the main press conference took place after Hallgrimsson was also asked a question about a co-pilot who attacked a pilot and tried to hijack a flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv earlier this week. The reporter's question was shut down by the FAI press officer.Sky Sports News understands there are no open UEFA investigations at this stage from the previous meeting between Israel and Ireland last weekend.The FAI are conducting their own investigation into whether striker Adam Idah was racially abused by Israeli supporters during their 3-0 UEFA Nations League win but have yet to make an official complaint to UEFA. Image: Protesters interrupted Ireland's draw with Austria by throwing tennis balls onto the pitch with Palestine flags on them Despite the high-profile nature of the fixture, members of the Irish media later reported that there was no UEFA delegate present at the news conference.Sky Sports News was told a UEFA match delegate does not have to attend press conferences. The duty is left to the venue media manager, whose job it is to report anything if there is an incident.Sunday's match is being played in Backa Topola, Serbia, as the FAI moved the game to a neutral venue for "operational reasons" in June following widespread calls for a boycott.Sky Sports News has approached the FAI for comment.